An enemy returns to spark new tensions between the Guardians and Novacorp. In the midst of the crisis, Nadira is given information about her parents that threatens to destroy her relationship to the Guardians and to Jonathan.

While Nadira searches for answers, Jonathan is enticed into the hedonistic world of the Novacorp executive class. His entertainment club attracts the elite of Hathor, but his notoriety comes with a price.

The worlds of the Guardians and Novacorp are put on a collision course where only one side may come out on top. Nadira is called on to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the legacy of the First Families, the original settlers of Hathor, while Guardians, Kasema and Deshtu groups are faced with the choice to unite or be brought completely under Novacorp control.

Old scores are settled and long-hidden truths are revealed, and at the end Nadira and Jonathan’s relationship and their world will never be the same.

​"I just got word from security." The words tumbled out so quickly that Azure had to stop to take a breath. "It's Mikal. He's escaped the penal colony on a ship. Novacorp security lost track of it. They don’t know where he is right now."

"He what?" It took her a moment to get her thoughts in order to reply. "But how could he? They did the Burn Order. It was supposed to destroy his mental functions, right?"

"Not all, obviously. The injection was only meant to destroy his PSI abilities. But he was still able to break out of the colony, steal a ship and get past all the security checks."

How had Mikal been able to escape a penal colony? He was supposedly neutralized by the chemical injection he was given after he'd been taken off Hathor. How had he even had the awareness to escape? Yet again, they'd underestimated him.

"He might have had help from someone at the colony," Nadira suggested. "Otherwise, how could he escape? Isn't it maximum security?"

"My child, I have no idea. We're still waiting for an update from the colony," Azure replied, "But we must be on our guard. I'll stay in Nova City until we receive word of his capture."

​Deborah A Bailey's Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance novels include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat. Her books include the Hathor Legacy science fiction romance series and the Family Pride shapeshifter paranormal romance series.

Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and have been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun and are included in, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales. In her "other" life, she's a freelance technical writer and author of non-fiction books and articles for various online publications.http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com

One of the coolest things that ever happened to me was when I spent a month in Paris studying fashion history. A few years after I graduated from college, I got a brochure from Parsons School of Design about their summer in Paris program. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do, other than get a job in the fashion industry. So, I applied and was accepted for the program.During the month I met a lot of fun people and learned a about fashion history (and art history). But even better, I was introduced to another culture and language. I still remember the first day hearing everyone around me speak French. I'd learned a few words before my trip, but I wasn't fluent. So, it was an adventure in more ways than one.What I learned was that being out of your everyday element, and being dropped into a new environment, requires you to be open. When you go through the motions everyday, doing the same things, talking to the same people, only being exposed to thoughts that reflect your own – you're missing out on so many things. To be creative, you have to be ready to take risks and think outside of the box. Those are qualities that have helped me as a writer, as well.

If I listed all of my favorites this would be a very long reply! :) But two of my favorites are Octavia Butler and David Handler. Octavia Butler wrote dystopian science fiction usually through the view of a female lead character. She has a way of breaking down very complex ideas so that the reader can enter them quite easily. Yet, there are layers of meaning underneath.

David Handler writes mysteries. I don't usually read mysteries (though I like to watch TV shows with mysteries and suspense). But his stories are very well described and the characters are 3-dimensional. I always wish they really existed so I could go meet them!

Reply

Nikolina

8/18/2016 02:51:46 am

Happy to be a part of this tour, thank you for sharing!

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Peggy

8/18/2016 07:23:47 am

When you started this book, did you have all the characters in place and an ending planned, or did it come to you as you wrote?

Another great question, Peggy! I knew the characters, but things changed a bit from the first draft. I had the same ending in mind, though. I started writing this in 2015, so once I picked it up again, I had different ideas for the story. That's why it's my longest book, so far. I just kept adding!